Best Hybrids to Import from the US: Hard Working and Fuel Efficient

When it comes to buying a new car, traditionalists look at internal combustion engines, advanced motorists eye newfangled electric cars, and the most practical drivers turn to hybrids.

In any case, this is evidenced by Columbus sales statistics for 2023. A Hybrid, according to our company’s clients, are a reasonable compromise between an ICE and EV, and is best suited for operating in Georgia. There are several reasons for it: a large range (the most crucial argument in a place where there is no comprehensive network of charging stations), the high cost of batteries for pure electric cars and the efficiency provided by two different types of engines.

We have compiled a list of the most popular hybrids among our customers, shipped from the US in the past year.

 
1. TOYOTA PRIUS (2019)

• Engine: 1.8 L + electric, 121 hp.

• Transmission: CVT

• Drive: front, full

• Fuel consumption: 4.1 – 4.9 L/100 km (highway - city)

More and more hybrids appear on the market every year, but their great ancestor, the Toyota Prius, is still in service. Let's remember that the first Toyota hybrid came out in 1997, and with sales in the US starting in 2000 at a price of $19,995. Its successor is distinguished by phenomenal fuel efficiency (4.1 - 4.4 L/100 km with front-wheel drive), comfortable ride and a large trunk for its class.

The hatchback is famous for its Japanese reliability and unpretentiousness.

The car has been updated several times – in 2022, the fifth generation of the Hybrid appeared on the market - adding more and more new features. For the 2019 model year, the Prius got all-wheel drive option for the first time in its history. It would turn on automatically in two cases: when starting from a stop until reaching the speed of 10 km/h and when slipping of the front wheels is detected (up to 117 km/h). At the same time, fuel consumption did not increase that much - up to 4.5-4.9 L/100 km. This car was especially popular among residents of the northern US states.

However, some you win and some you lose - the Prius is not particularly fast (especially on the highway) or nimble. It also does not have the American favorite Apple CarPlay / Android Auto support in its infotainment system, which allows competitors like Honda Insight to step on the hybrid’s heels.

Previously, Toyota marked Prius trim levels using numbers, for example, Toyota Prius One, Two, etc. Everything changed in 2019 - the company has standardized the names of trim levels to 4 of them: L Eco, LE, XLE and Limited. All-wheel drive was available only in LE and XLE editions.

The basic L Eco package is the most economical. It is rather well equipped including automatic climate control, keyless entry (the driver's door), 6-speaker audio system, rear view camera, and alloy wheels. Toyota's Safety Sense P suite of active safety and driver assistance systems makes the L Eco an excellent choice for the vast majority of buyers.

Those who need more electronic assistants may consider purchasing the LE which comes with parking sensors and additional safety systems, while those who want more comfort should take a closer look at the XLE edition - with SofTex synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, rain sensor and bigger alloy wheels. Options include adaptive headlights, a head-up display and a sunroof.

Price from a private seller in Georgia: from $21,500

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $17,100

 

2. HONDA INSIGHT (2019)

• Engine: 1.5 L + electric, 151 hp.

• Transmission: e-CVT

• Drive: front

• Fuel consumption: 4.3 – 5.2 L/100 km (highway - city)

Completely redesigned for the 2019 model year, the third-generation Honda Insight sedan is one of the strongest competitors of the Toyota Prius. The cars are almost identical with the differences being mostly cosmetic.

For example, although the Insight's internal combustion engine is smaller than that of the Prius, its i-MMD is 30 horsepower more powerful than the Prius's. True, this affects consumption which is also a little higher - within 4.3 - 4.8 L/100 km.

All-wheel drive is not available in the Insight.

The transmission, however, provides confident acceleration at traffic lights and when you need to overtake somebody on the highway. The Insight rides smoothly. And while this Honda isn't as nimble as some of its competitors in the non-hybrid camp, the car remains steady and manageable on winding roads.

Like many other hybrids, the Insight is equipped with regenerative brakes, so along with traditional braking, it can also use one-pedal driving like in electric cars. The car will begin to slow down to a stop as soon as you take your foot off the gas pedal.

The 2019 Insight has three trim levels: LX, EX and Touring.

The base LX came equipped with a 5-inch IRS display, Bluetooth, a USB port, a 6-speaker audio system, automatic climate control, a rearview camera and a set of Honda Sensing active safety systems.

The EX replaces the 5-inch display with an 8-inch infotainment system, adds Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, an 8-speaker audio system instead, satellite radio, HD radio, remote start, extra USB port, and folding rear seats.

The Touring featured leather upholstery, heated front seats, a sunroof, navigation system, and a 10-speaker audio system.

Interestingly, while all three editions have the same transmission, the Touring's consumption is slightly higher than the LX/EX's – up to 5.2 L/100 km instead of 4.6 L.

Price from a private seller in Georgia: from $23,000

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $14,000

 
3. LINKOLN MKZ (2019)

• Engine: 2.0 L, 188 hp

• Transmission: CVT

• Drive: front

• Fuel consumption: 5.6 - 6.0 L/100 km (highway - city)

In the early 2000s, the MKZ was created as the most compact (by American standards) ICE sedan in the Lincoln lineup. In the second generation, from 2013, a hybrid engine was integrated into it, consisting of a 2-liter naturally aspirated iVCT engine and an electric motor for a total of 188 hp. The operation was a success and allowed the luxury sedan to achieve fuel consumption of less than 5.6 L/100 km.

The only thing that the MKZ Hybrid did not inherit from its gasoline counterparts is all-wheel drive. Otherwise, it is quite congruent with them.

The 2019 MKZ has three trim levels: Base, Reserve I and Reserve II. There was also the Black Label edition, but it was discontinued in 2019.

Standard equipment on the MKZ Base includes SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, an 8-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker stereo, 2 USB ports, Bluetooth, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power-adjustable heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, keyless entry, remote engine start, rear parking sensors, as well as Lincoln Co-Pilot360 set of active safety and driver assistance systems.

The Reserve I edition adds navigation, two more USB ports (in the rear), adaptive cruise control, genuine leather seats, and a power steering and trunk lid. There are also models with heated rear seats and steering wheel, as well as a sunroof.

In addition to all the features listed above, the Reserve II package received front parking sensors, massage seats with perforated leather upholstery, as well as electric sunshades on the rear side windows. A panoramic sunroof can be installed as an option (which, alas, reduces headroom for tall passengers sitting in the rear), and an adaptive suspension.

The weak point of this hybrid is the trunk which is a bit small even for its class. Because the car has a 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery in the rear, its luggage capacity is 120 liters less than its petrol siblings - in the MKZ Hybrid it is just 314 liters.

Price from a private seller in Georgia: from $22,900

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $16,000

 

4. TOYOTA COROLLA HYBRID (2020)

• Engine: 1.5 L, 121 hp

• Transmission: CVT

• Drive: front

• Fuel consumption: 8.1 - 10.2 L/100 km (highway - city)

If you like the efficiency of the Toyota Prius, but hate its design, the Corolla Hybrid (the 2020 model is produced since 2019) can be an excellent replacement. It has the same hybrid engine and offers similar fuel efficiency. 

The Corolla is one of the best-selling Japanese cars of all time with 12 generations under its belt. Keeping up with the times, the latest line up has had a hybrid added to it. Integrating the Prius engine into the regular Corolla resulted in a compact sedan with a record driving range, comparable only to that of the Insight or the more expensive Accord Hybrid.

The Corolla Hybrid has proven popular among buyers thanks to its extensive list of standard equipment, strong passive safety scores and an interior quality that exceeds expectations for its price class.

The hybrid transmission provides the car with sufficient power and a smooth ride on city streets but not on the highway when you need a burst of speed. However, this is typical for most hybrids and is the downside of their efficiency. 

The Corolla is steady in the corners, has smooth steering and is not afraid of bumps on the road. The car brakes sharply – this will perhaps take some getting used to.

The 2020 Corolla Hybrid came in only one trim – LE, which makes buying a used one simpler since they are all the same.

The LE’s standard equipment includes an 8-inch infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa (but not Android Auto!), Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, 2 USB ports, 6-speaker audio system, keyless entry, push-button start, automatic climate control, cloth seat upholstery, folding rear seats, LED headlights, a rearview camera and 15-inch alloy wheels.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 includes forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams.

Price from a private seller in Georgia: from $20,000

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $19,000

 

5. TOYOTA CAMRY (2019)

• Engine: 2.5 L, 208 hp

• Transmission: CVT

• Drive: front

• Fuel consumption: 4.4 - 5.3 L/100 km (highway - city)

It seems that in America it’s easier to spot the Toyota Camry Hybrid than the gasoline Camry, which has a deserved reputation of a very popular family sedan.

Redesigned for 2018, the Camry Hybrid is loaded with modern equipment, allowing it to compete in fuel efficiency with much smaller sedans and hatchbacks like the Prius. The fuel consumption of the Camry ranges from 4.4 to 5.3 liters per 100 km. It varies in different configurations depending on the battery used, but only slightly.

At the same time, the engine is rather powerful with over 200 horsepower. The dynamics of the car will pleasantly surprise you – it gets to 100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds which is faster than its gasoline counterpart!

The Camry also does well on the interstate allowing you to effortlessly accelerate and overtake other cars. Although, at high speed the steering wheel loses a bit of responsiveness.

There is enough room inside to comfortably accommodate five adults. Thanks to a meticulously planned layout, the Camry Hybrid retained a decent trunk, which was not diminished by the battery, as is usually the case.

The updated Entune 3.0 infotainment system is somewhat cumbersome, but in 2019 it finally added support for Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa (though without Android Auto). Many of important active safety systems, combined into the Toyota Safety Sense package, are present even in the basic sedan.

The Camry Hybrid comes in three trim levels: LE, SE and XLE. The most desirable is the base LE. And not only because it has a large set of basic equipment. This configuration is the most fuel efficient (4.4-4.6 L/100 km) thanks to the lithium battery. The SE and XLE have NiMH ones, which is why their fuel consumption is slightly higher (5.0-5.3 L/100 km).

Standard equipment on the LE includes dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, keyless entry, push-button start, a 7-inch IRS touchscreen, a 6-speaker audio system, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot and a rearview camera.

The Toyota Safety Sense package includes forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beam headlights and adaptive cruise control.

The higher SE and XLE editions came with faux or genuine leather seats, satellite and HD radio, infotainment system with voice recognition and a larger 8-inch screen, as well as additional driver assistance systems.

Price from a private seller in Georgia: from $27,000

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $22,000
 

6. HONDA CR-V HYBRID (2020)

• Engine: 2.0 L, 212 hp

• Transmission: CVT

• Drive: full

• Fuel consumption: 5.9 - 6.7 L/100 km (highway - city)

In 2020, the CR-V Hybrid was one of the hottest new products on the US market. Based on the fifth-generation CR-V gasoline model, updated in 2017, the hybrid crossover did not disappoint the model’s fans. Almost everything people loved about the gasoline version was carried over to the Hybrid - stylish looks, upscale and spacious interior, large cargo area, and more, as well as excellent passive safety in crash tests.

The CR-V's hybrid engine delivers spirited acceleration (0-100 km/h in just 8 seconds) and decent fuel efficiency The gasoline engine is so quiet and smooth that it is difficult to tell when it turns on and off. But when overclocking, the sound rises sharply and not everyone is a fan of that.

The steering of the hybrid is responsive, and the suspension is well tuned - the car roll in cornering is minimal. The brakes are grippy and feel like a car with an internal combustion engine.

The 2020 CR-V had 4 trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring, and they all came equipped with the same 212 hp hybrid engine and all-wheel drive. It is a rare case when the equipment on the base edition is not that great and buyers are better off looking at EX edition or higher.

The entry-level CR-V Hybrid came with a 5-inch screen infotainment system, Bluetooth, a USB port, a 4-speaker audio system, a rear view camera, keyless entry, automatic climate control, a basic set of Honda Sensing active safety systems, fabric seat upholstery and 17-inch wheels. 

If you get the EX, you would upgrade to 7-inch screen, support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD and satellite radio, eight speakers, three USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a sunroof, fog lights and 18-inch wheels.

The EX-L package added leather seats upholstery, power front seats, a heated steering wheel and a power tailgate.

The top-end Touring package, in addition to the listed progress perks, also boasts a navigation system, a 9-speaker audio, wireless charging for gadgets, parking sensors all around and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Price from a private seller in Georgia: from $31,500 

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $25,000
 

7. BMW X5 XDRIVE40E (2017)

• Engine: 2.0 L, 308 hp

• Transmission: Automatic

• Drive: full

• Fuel consumption: 4.2 L/100 km (mixed mode)

The famous X5 went partially electric in 2016, becoming a plug-in hybrid capable of driving about 20 km exclusively on electric power.

Its hybrid consists of a 2-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor creating a total of 308 hp, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and a 9 kWh battery located under the cargo compartment floor.

BMW says that this combination allows the car to accelerate to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, and a full charge using a 220-volt outlet takes no more than 3 hours. Fuel consumption when using an electric motor is 4.2 liters per 100 km in mixed mode and approximately 10 L/100 km when driving exclusively on gasoline.

In terms of equipment, the hybrid X5 is not much different from its gasoline siblings, although there are slight details. For example, the car comes standartly equipped with rear air suspension and adjustable shock absorbers, which is an option for other X5s.

By placing the battery under the trunk floor, its volume was reduced to 968 liters versus 1,013 liters for gasoline versions. In addition, the Xdrive40e has a special “hybrid” instrument panel and specific items in the infotainment system menu.

Standard equipment on the hybrid build includes 19-inch wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, LED fog lights, power heated mirrors, automatic wipers, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, power tailgate, and front and rear parking sensors.

Inside, you'll find dual-zone automatic climate control, power seats and steering wheel, premium vinyl upholstery, Bluetooth, 10.2-inch infotainment system with voice control, BMW iDrive technology interface, navigation system providing traffic information in real time, HD radio, audio system with 9 speakers and ... a CD player!

Price from a private seller in Georgia: from $33,900

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $28,000
 


8. MERCEDES GLC 350E (2019)

• Engine: 2.0 L, 320 hp

• Transmission: automatic

• Drive: full

• Fuel consumption: 4.2 - 9.4 L/100 km (highway - city)
  

Few cars can match the luxury of the GLC. While this SUV isn't as nimble as most of its competitors, it takes advantage of the comfort it provides the people inside. The GLC also has excellent crash test scores and an extensive list of active safety features.

The 350e plug-in hybrid joined the GLC lineup in 2018. It is equipped with a 2-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor for a total of 320 hp.

It comes standard with 4Matic AWD, while other GLCs come with rear-wheel drive whereas all-wheel is optional. The hybrid's transmission is a 7-speed automatic, designed specifically for this model. Like many other hybrids, the car is equipped with regenerative brakes.

The car's cruising range solely on electric power is small, about 15 km, and fuel consumption is approximately 4.2 liters per 100 km when driving in mixed highway-city mode and 9.4 liters in the city.

A full charge from the 220 V outlet will take about 2 hours 15 minutes.

The 350e has only one configuration. This drawback is offset by the fact that the manufacturer offers a wide selection of options and packages that allow you to adapt the car to your specific needs including aesthetic ones.

The equipment of the GLC 350e is almost the same as that of its gasoline relative GLC 300 with a similar 2-liter engine: 18-inch wheels, roof rails, electric mirrors, automatic wipers.

The interior features dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power driver's seat and steering wheel, heated front seats, power folding rear seats, 115-volt household outlet, MB-Tex faux leather upholstery, push-button engine start , 7-inch display infotainment system, as well as Mbrace Connect for connecting smartphones, 2 USB ports, HD radio and 8-speaker audio system.

The suite of active safety systems includes a rearview camera, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking and driver monitoring systems.

Price from a private seller in Georgia: from $36,000

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $24,000
 

9. LEXUS UX 250H (2020)

• Engine: 2.0 L, 181 hp

• Transmission: CVT

• Drive: all-wheel

• Fuel consumption: 5.7 - 6.2 L/100 km (highway - city)

Nimble and feature-rich, the Lexus UX 250h is a relatively inexpensive premium SUV classified as a subcompact. It competes with segment trendsetters like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3, but offers something they don't have - a battery and an electric motor.

The Lexus UX Hybrid went on sale in the United States in 2019, so the 2019 and 2020 models are like twins. The only notable change for the 2020 was the addition of Android Auto support across all trim levels.

The UX Hybrid 2020 came in three trim levels – UX 250h, UX 250h Luxury and UX 250h F Sport. They were equipped with the same hybrid engine, consisting of a 2-liter gasoline engine and two electric motors for a total of 181 horsepower. A CVT and all-wheel drive came standard on all editions. 

You should seriously consider going for the basic UX 250h - it already has most of the features people would want in their car like faux leather seats, steering wheel and gear knob, power front seats, heated outside mirrors, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, 7-inch electronic instrument panel, rearview camera, 6-speaker audio system, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, 4 USB ports, 7-inch display infotainment system, Android Auto / Apple CarPlay / Amazon Alexa support and voice recognition.

The UX 250h also comes standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite of driver assistance systems. The package includes forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and automatic high-beam headlights.

With the Premium Options Pack, this variety of tech features was complimented by heated and ventilated front seats, a sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert.

The UX 250h has a smooth, comfortable ride, but it has a leisurely pace – acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 10 seconds. The hybrid's steering is crisp; In general, the UX's road behavior is reminiscent of the Toyota Corolla (their platforms are realted), with the difference being that the higher body and weight of the Lexus makes it roll a little more when cornering.

Overall, the UX Hybrid is a fun car that's at its best on city streets but can be a little lacking in power on the highway. The efficiency of the hybrid version (6.2 L/100 km) remains almost at the level of gasoline one (6.4 L/100 km).

Price from a private seller in Georgia: from $28,500

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $24,500
 

10. VOLVO XC90 T8 (2020)

• Engine: 2.0 L, 400 hp

• Transmission: Automatic

• Drive: front, full

• Fuel consumption: 8.4 - 11.8 L/100 km (highway - city)

In 2020, the mid-size SUV XC90 underwent a light facelift, adding several modifications. But in terms of equipment, neither the gasoline models nor the T8 plug-in hybrid pleased potential customers with any outstanding innovations.

The 2020 T8 continues to combine the T6's 2.0-liter turbo engine with an electric motor to produce an impressive 400 hp combined. They work in tandem with an 8-speed automatic transmission which comes standard for the entire XC90 line up.

The 10 kWh battery provides a range of 28-30 km exclusively on electric power. It takes about three hours to charge it from a household outlet.

The XC90 has a smooth ride but the handling is not too sharp – price for comfort! The suspension absorbs most of the road bumps, however, putting on 21-22-inch wheels (optional) makes the car more rigid, so keep that in mind if you ate looking for a suitable vehicle.

Thanks to its powerful engine, the XC90 accelerates quickly, but the 90 is not what you would call a sporty car with its imprecise steering - after all, this is a vehicle for comfortable travel and not slalom.

The XC90 has three trim levels – Momentum, R-Design and Inscription. Even the Momentum one is a good choice, with a lot of the higher-end equipment available in the edition.

Judge for yourself - the base comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, 9-inch screen infotainment system and support for Android Auto / Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, an audio system with 10 speakers, 2 USB ports, Bluetooth, navigation, parking sensors, synthetic leather seats, four-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, 19-inch wheels and a pretty good set of active safety systems - blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic warning, etc.

The R-Design edition features premium leather upholstery, an upgraded navigation system, front parking sensors, gear paddle shifters and sporty exterior and interior accents like front bucket seats and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Please note that this edition does not come with a spare wheel but just a tire repair kit.

The top edition adds heated and ventilated front seats as well as optional massage seats and heated back seats.

Price from a private seller in Georgia: from $47,000

Turnkey price with delivery from the US: from $39,000

Sources: Сars.usnews.com, Edmunds.com